Vacation planning is labor intensive. You must decide on a location, your transportation and your hotel accommodations. Not planning properly can really mess things up for you. If you want to know how to book the ideal hotel, read the following tips.

Consider the benefits of any organization memberships you have. Some may offer discounts on hotels. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! They can save you plenty of money, especially for prolonged stays. It can add up to almost a free hotel night!

You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. It is possible to find good deals fast when using sites such as these. You can see the average price of the rooms, and you can check to see how those rates stack up to the rates you’re being offered now. Finally, by using these websites, you can learn the best places and times to take a vacation.

Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is it tidy and sanitary? Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Do you have all the towels and linens you need? If you notice any deficiencies in your room, immediately call the front desk so you can resolve these issues, or if the problems are too severe, move you to another room.

Know your check-in time in advance. If you show up too early for check-in, then your room may not be ready for you yet. If you’re going to come to the hotel before you should be checking in, call them first to see if there’s anything they can do for you.

If you want to find the absolute rock bottom hotel prices, plan your trips weeks or months ahead of time. Most hotels have serious discounts for early booking customers. Even some elite chains will offer discounts as much as half off.

You don’t want to assume that the hotel you will be staying in is considered pet friendly. Call and ask before you reserve. Also, find out if there are any size or breed restrictions.

If you’re taking your pet with you, do these things in advance. Make sure the hotel is actually pet-friendly. Be sure to bring some bags with you so you can pick up your pet’s waste. Ask for a corner room so that your pets’ noise doesn’t bother anyone else.

If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. So, make sure you have your running gear and shoes and you will be set to jog anywhere. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.

Do you use the same hotels on a regular basis? If so, check out their membership programs for frequent guests. Similar to frequent flyer programs with an airline company, hotel programs will typically give you points for each visit. You might earn free stays and discounts, show tickets, or other things.

The timing for your booking of a hotel room has much to do with what you pay. Rooms are typically priced according to availability. If you can, don’t make your reservation more than one day prior to your stay. A late booking when the hotel is slow often results in a bargain. Hotels don’t like to have vacancies so they often provide better prices.

Get a membership to AAA to make booking hotel arrangements a breeze when you travel. AAA members are given many discounts and booking privileges on hotel rooms and rental vehicles. Parents of small children will probably like the car seat that’s provided for free in a lot of locations.

Don’t call long distance in your hotel room. You can use the Internet to make these types of calls. Many hotels will give you complimentary Skype connections on their Wi-Fi. This is much cheaper than paying for a bunch of long distance calls from your hotel room.

If you are planning on staying in a hotel room with your children, make sure you call the hotel in advance to ensure they provide a working pool or some other fun activities for your children to do. It can prove rather frustrating when you check in to your room with the kids screaming “pool” only to find out it’s closed.

One should always be aware of the hotel’s policy on pets. If you fear pets or have allergies it may be best to make reservations at hotels that have a strict no pets policy. Rooms that allow pets may also have the odor of animals. This can be in the linens and carpet. Some hotels charge extra fees for pets, but some do not charge much. Some hotels use the paid fees to clean the hotel more thoroughly.

Be aware that it is normally not possible to check into a hotel early. Unless you’re okay with waiting for your room to be ready, plan your timing wisely. Hotels need the time to clean your room so it is ready for you to check in. If you are early, don’t expect miracles.

Avoid sleeping under the bedspread. Your sheets should be fresh and clean but the bedspread is not washed after each guest. The bedspread can be laden with germs. Take the bedspread off of the bed.

Resist the urge to abscond with the hotel linens. As much as you may like the towels, washcloths or pillows, housekeeping is likely to notice any missing items, and the hotel may send you a bill for them. If you just fall in love with the towels or pillows, ask if you can buy them directly from the front desk of the hotel.

Don’t spoil your vacation by choosing the wrong hotel. Do your research and plan ahead accordingly. With the information you read here, you now know how to book the perfect accommodation. You want and deserve to enjoy every moment of your travel, and your hotel stay is part of that. Remember the tips here next time you plan for a vacation.